No Soriano homer to lead off this game

For the first time in the series, Alfonso Soriano fails to open the game with a home run. Leadoff homers are nice and all, but ideally, this guy should be down in the order somewhere. Soriano third, Derrek Lee fourth and Aramis Ramirez fifth sounds good to me.

Second inning

Memo to Sox pitching coach Don Cooper: Is there a reason why your guys almost never pitch inside anymore?

Third inning

Shortstop Juan Uribe ranges into foul territory to flag down a popup, brings back memories of his play in the World Series clincher two years ago. Whatever happened to that Juan Uribe, anyway?

Fourth inning

No runs, one hit, no buzz.

Fifth inning

Soriano guns down Luis Terrero from here to Willow Springs. What - third-base coach Razor Shines doesn’t know that Soriano has a -4 arm in Strat-O-Matic?

Sixth inning

The Cubs get on the board. And you know what the scouting report on the Sox says these days: “One run is more than enough.”

Seventh inning

Soriano goes deep with nobody on base again. See first inning, above.

Eighth inning

The Cubs have two runners on the same base, but they have an excuse this time. Uribe obstructed Angel Pagan on the basepaths. Sox skipper Ozzie Guillen argues his case, and umpire Joe West thumbs him out of the game. According to lip readers, Oz said, “Get me outta here! Please?!”

Ninth inning

Here’s what we’ve learned about the Crosstown Showdown this season: It’s a very, very good thing when both teams can play a little bit. You know, maybe five years from now.

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